Milky Oats
Avena sativa
The green oat plant, sold as milky oats or oat herb. Oat herb harvested before flowering is recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress and to help sleep.
What is Milky Oats?
- Plant family
- Poaceae, the grass family
- Parts used
- The green above-ground parts, harvested before flowering, fresh or dried, as a tea, extract or fresh juice
- Genus
- Avena
- Species
- sativa
Also called
Oat Herb, Green Oats, Milky Oat Tops
Traditionally used for
- Stress
- Sleep
Traditionally described as
- May help you relax (traditional)
Health topics
Where Milky Oats appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Sleep Problems (Insomnia)
Green oat herb is recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy to help sleep. Based on long use, not trials.
- Stress
Green oat herb is recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress. Based on long use, not trials.
Traditions that use it
European Folk Medicine
Green oat herb is recognised in Europe as a traditional remedy for mild stress and to help sleep.
Safety
Who should avoid it
Take care if you have coeliac disease, because its protein content hasn't been measured. Not recommended for children under 12.[1]
Side effects
Oat herb may make you drowsy. If it does, don't drive or use machinery. No other side effects are known.[1]
Pregnancy
Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because its safety hasn't been established.[1]
How much to use
As a tea, 3 g of dried herb; or up to 5 ml of liquid extract up to 3 times a day; or 10 ml of fresh juice 3–4 times a day. See a doctor if symptoms continue.[1]
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
The European Medicines Agency recognises oat herb, the green plant harvested before flowering, as a traditional herbal medicine for mild symptoms of mental stress and to help sleep, in adults and children over 12. This is based on long use alone, not on clinical trials.[1]
In short
May make you drowsy; take care if you have coeliac disease.
Sources
- [1] Community herbal monograph on Avena sativa L., herba — European Medicines Agency (EMEA), Committee on Herbal Medicinal ProductsGovernment health agency
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.